Rating: 
Summary: But you can get the same functionality for free
Review: Go to zonelabs.com and download their personal version firewall. I use it and it does everything people talk about here -- I was thinking changing it out and buying this product until I read these reviews -- plus its easy to use AND IT'S FREE.
Rating: 
Summary: no problems
Review: I use Blackice Defender on my home pc. I used it first as a trial and then bought the sotware from cd. So far I have had no problems with the software. What's especially nice is that it doesn't interfear with my other utilities like "GoBack" and "Norton Anti-Virus" like other programs can. As a neophyte on computers it also is easy to use and I don't have to worry about screwing up my computer with the install.
Rating: 
Summary: <<<Makes a normal person PARANOID>>>
Review: I have purchased this product thinking that, since I am on a LAN, I should have some extra protection. I have a network here too, and every time another computer on my own network tries to access my computer, even AFTER entering the password- This Blackice thing says it is an attacker/intruder, and that I should block it or trust it. Now, I don't want to trust a bad person, and I don't want to block another person on my network. So I have no idea WHAT to do at this point, and it is so confusing that I just leave it alone. The interface is very confusing, and its so many useless features and options make you go crazy. I'm sure this program was made by some paranoid person wanting to hide in a net all day without any trouble. Well, for every paranoid person out there- this program is great. For any normal person wanting a little protection from the outside world- This program is bad, not only because it will make you paranoid, but also because it will drive you crazy. Buy it at your own risk. I'm sure many other people have had this problem before, as well.
Rating:
Summary: ~~~WARNING! USE THIS PRODUCT AT YOUR OWN RISK! ~~~
Review: This product may claim to stop hackers cold in their tracks but I would'nt know it. After reading what seemed like good reviews by well respected publications such as PC World & PC Magazine about this product and it's anti-hacker technology I decided to give this much talked about firewall a try for myself. Well, too bad for me because at the time that I purchased this product it was ONLY available at the company website and ONLY available as a download. After completing the download of this product all my problems were just beginning. First off, my computer shut down immediately after clicking the open button on the download complete dialog box which was not what I expected my computer to do. At this time my computer re-booted and shut down for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th time until it just shut itself off as if someone had pulled the plug from behind. I turned my computer back on but every time after the windows splash screen would appear it would just shut down and attempt to reboot over and over and over. I could not even get my computer to boot up until having to go into safe mode and uninstalling this useless software. Well guess what! My troubles weren't over at all. I still could not log on to windows unless it was without the use of my mouse or unless it was in safe mode and at this point I was so frustrated & angered that this product ruined my computer and my day that I decided to just re-install my entire OS. Lucky for me I always back up my drive and was able to re-install everything back to it's original state but NOT until I re-installed the OS again. Keyword for today: "BACKUP" Remeber that word and live by it and you should be ok in this world of computers. I'm only giving this product 1 star because I don't have a choice to give it 0 stars. The only reason this product deserves 1 star is for the refund that I was given after complaining to their Customer Service. No appologies were given to me nor did they ask me any questions about what they could do to assist me with this problem. Well I'm not a person to complain about products or services, instead, I just don't use it nor do I ever go back. All in all, If I were you then I would wait for the PGP personal firewall by Network Associates which is due to come out soon and is a better product...
Rating:
Summary: Have a similar version
Review: I have an older corp version of this firewall. I must say wow. A very good product that will stop hackers and then give you dirt on them (in case you wan't to chase them down). If this isanything like the corp version I really think that you should but it.
Rating:
Summary: ZoneAlarm has it all plus more and it is free
Review: One reviewer from Ocala, FL United States wrote, "After [zonealarm] allowing admittance I have found out that while downloading free programs, my Black Ice Defender will allow downloading but will block attempts by the downloading program to access my files and send back info to its source."
Zone Alarm does this too but it also encrypts the reference to the program so a trojan horse cannot spoof ZoneAlarm. "Black Ice keeps a detail record of all hacker type attempts as well as pointing a finger back to where the attack came from." Zone alarm does this too. The best on the market is actually free. Search for ZoneAlarm and go with the product our Network Administrator's use at home.
Rating: 
Summary: Is a firewall really necessary for you?
Review: In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, news reports about the internet becoming a potential "terrorist" target made me concerned that some protection in addition to my anti-virus software might be in order. After some research, I decided that Black Ice Defender would be the preferred product (over Norton and McAfee firewalls). After purchasing and installing it, I no longer believe that users who connect to the internet via a dial-up modem are at any significant risk of having their systems hacked into. In the two weeks since I installed this, most of the probes directed at my connection have been routine ones from my own ISP. If you use a dial-up modem to connect to the internet, RELAX. Save your money or use it to satisfy yourself with some more useful toy.
Rating:
Summary: Not for dummies.
Review: I've been a user of BlackICE Defender for quite some time now. I've used it for many network sercutiry jobs, and businesses in the past. In true tests I've proven to different companies the vulnerabilities of BlackICE vs. the competition. One of the problems is that if you plan on buying this product and you belive you can just throw it onto your HDD, you will come up short with your home/office network. This product takes a bit of configuring with different ports and IP addresses. Once you've done all of this though, you have yourself a VERY good product that will not only block exploit from being run on your computer, it will simply terminate them and erase them in the progress due to it's application protection option. BlackICE is worth every penny....if you know what you're doing with it.
Rating:
Summary: No Support
Review: This product is worthless. It says plainly on their website that they offer NO phone support. That is danger number one. It locked up my computer all four times I tried to install it. I was unable to boot. It is hard to get web support when your computer will not boot. Avoid this software.
Rating:
Summary: RUN, HIDE, BUY SOMETHING ELSE
Review: As for the person with AOL, Black Ice shouldn't run with AOL. After all, AOL is constantly selling your info. anyway. Only YOU can stop that problem. I have been using Black Ice Defender for over two years now. I think this is the best firewall out there other than using a router to block ports. I have never been hacked and my PC runs 24/7. It is really easy to use and gives detailed info. on the attacks on your computer. The software even describes what the attacker is attempting to do! I highly recommend this software. It will prove to be a highly effective tool in keeping unwanted visitors out.
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